Vacant Residential Parcels - Additional Information
Additional resources regarding land use, housing, and permitting can be found here.
Important Planning Links
Click on the following links to learn more about Kern County's Zoning Ordinance and Housing Programs.
Important Public Works Links
Building permits fall under the jurisdiction of the Building and Code Division of the Public Works Department. For more information regarding building permits, inspections, or code compliance, please use the links below.
ESTATE (E) DISTRICT
The purpose of the Estate (E) District is to designate areas suitable for larger lot residential living environments. Uses are limited to those typical of and compatible with quiet residential neighborhoods.
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter
LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) DISTRICT
The purpose of the Low-density Residential (R-1) District is to designate areas which will be suitable for traditional smaller lot, single-family homes and compatible uses. Maximum density is limited to ten (10) dwelling units per net acre. Typically, the R-1 District will be characterized by the typical single-family subdivision. However, innovative low-intensity projects are allowed in combination with the Cluster (CL) Combining District.
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter
MED-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-2) DISTRICT
The purpose of the Medium-density Residential (R-2) District is to designate areas for single-family, duplex, and other medium-density, multifamily residential uses. The maximum density allowed is sixteen (16) dwelling units per net acre. While single-family houses and duplexes typify this district, other innovative housing techniques, including clustering and zero lot line developments, are permitted in combination with the Cluster (CL) Combining District.
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter
HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-3) DISTRICT
The purpose of the High-density Residential (R-3) District is to designate areas appropriate for a variety of medium-density to high-density residential living environments, including apartments, townhouses, and condominiums. The maximum allowable density is twenty-nine (29) dwelling units per net acres. The R-3 District may only be applied to those urban areas of the County which have adequate utility, street, and public facility capacity.
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter
SPECIAL PLANNING (SP) DISTRICT
The purpose of the Special Planning (SP) District is to encourage and facilitate the creative and innovative use of land which may otherwise be limited or prohibited by the standard provisions of other parts of this title. The SP District is designed to allow diversity in the relationship between buildings and open spaces so as to create unique, interesting physical environments that maximize usable open space, while at the same time to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare.
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PLATTED LANDS (PL) DISTRICT
The purpose of the Platted Lands (PL) District is to recognize legally existing lots within recorded subdivisions which had been rendered nonconforming with regard to minimum lot size requirements of the various Resource designations (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5) of the County General Plan. Uses in the PL District are limited primarily to residential uses and other activities compatible with the area to which the PL District is applied. Future land divisions within the PL District are prohibited.
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter
MOBILEHOME SUBDIVISION (MS) DISTRICT
All development in the MS District shall comply with the requirements and standards set out in Chapter 19.18 (R-1 District), except where property is zoned for lot sizes of one-quarter (1/4) acre or greater, in which case the requirements and standards set out in Chapter 19.16 (E District) shall apply. Mobilehome age and installation requirements shall be subject to the standards set out in Chapter 19.62 (MH Combining District).
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter
MOBILEHOME PARK (MP) DISTRICT
The sole purpose of the MP (Mobilehome Park) District is to designate areas for medium-density mobilehome living areas that are, or will be, subject to the California Mobilehome Parks Act, as set forth in Section 18200 et seq., of the California Health and Safety Code, and associated administrative regulations as set forth in Title 25, California Code of Regulations. Uses are limited to mobilehome parks with spaces available for rent, mobilehomes within a mobilehome park available for rent, accessory uses, and recreational vehicle parks.
CLICK HERE for the full Zoning Ordinance chapter